Sonoma State University
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Wine Business Graduate Scholarships

Up to Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars in Graduate Scholarships Available!

WBI MBA Scholarships

Applications are closed.

WBI MBA Scholarships

The following scholarships are for graduate-level students attending a Wine MBA program at SSU. 

 

Debbie Lewis Women in Wine Graduate Scholarship - Up to $5,000

Candidate Eligibility Requirements:

  • Applicants must be accepted or currently enrolled in one of the Sonoma State Wine MBA programs.
  • Applicants must have a minimum overall 3.0 GPA in their last 60 units of completed coursework.

All eligible students are encouraged to apply. The Debbie Lewis Women in Wine Scholarship does not consider (give preference to or discriminate based on) sex, gender or any other protected status as part of the application and selection process.

 

The Donn P. Reisen Scholarship - Up to $5,000

Candidate Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be enrolled or accepted for full or part-time study in one of the Sonoma State Wine MBA programs.
  • Must have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA in the last 60 units of completed coursework.
  • Must demonstrate through their application that they embody the spirit and intention of Donn Reisen (see full application).

 

The Rhone Rangers Scholarship Fund - Up to $2,500

Candidate Eligibility Requirements:

  • Applicants must be accepted or currently enrolled in one of the Sonoma State Wine MBA programs.
  • Must have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA in the last 60 units of completed coursework.
  • Applicants through their essay must demonstrate their understanding, respect and appreciation for Rhone grape varietals.

 

The Julio R. Gallo Foundation and Caroline Coleman Bailey Wine Industry Scholarship – Up to $10,000


Candidate Eligibility Requirements:

  • This is a merit-based scholarship intended to support current or incoming graduate business students interested in or continuing a career in the wine industry.
  • Applicants must be accepted or currently enrolled in one of Sonoma State’s Wine MBA programs.
  • Applicants must have a minimum overall 3.0 GPA in their last 60 units of completed coursework.
  • Applicants through their essay will demonstrate leadership potential in their chosen field within the wine business industry.

 

Sonoma County Vineyard Technical Group Excellence in Wine Growing Business Scholarship – Up to $2,500


Candidate Eligibility Requirements:

  • Applicants must be accepted or currently enrolled in Sonoma State University pursuing a B.S. or MBA degree in Business Administration with a concentration in wine business.
  • Applicants must have a minimum overall 2.75 GPA in their last 60 units of completed coursework.
  • Applicants through their essay will demonstrate their distinct interest in the wine growing side of the industry, and their willingness to stay and work in Sonoma County post grad.

THIS SCHOLARSHIP WAS CREATED TO HONOR THE LIFE OF DEBBIE LEWIS.

Debbie was the eldest of four daughters. She grew up in California’s Central Valley, spending childhood summers at the family ranch, where they grew Bartlett pears and row crops. She eventually took over management of the ranch, worked as a kindergarten teacher, got into retail sales and then co-managed the oldest wine bar in San Francisco, The London Wine Bar. In the late 1970’s Debbie met Randy Lewis at a wine tasting and they eventually married. In 1992, she and Randy co-founded Lewis Cellars. Together they built a legacy and in 2016, the Lewis 2013 Napa Cabernet was named “Wine of the Year” by Wine Spectator.

Debbie was the rock of her family and provided the steady hand that built Lewis Cellars. She was involved in every aspect of vineyard management, winemaking, sales, distribution, and she spent many days on the road, building relationships all over the country. Debbie had a life-long passion for mastering the business of wine and set an inspiring example of dedication and hard work to all those around her.

The Donn P. Reisen Memorial scholarship is worth up to $5,000. Donn’s widow, Marilyn Reisen set up the scholarship in partnership with ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates & Producers) for which Donn was a long-time member, to carry on his passion for the wine industry. The recipient of this scholarship needed to demonstrate the qualities that made Donn Reisen an industry leader: a passion for the industry and its products, a commitment to wine education, and the warmth and generosity that allowed him to connect with so many over his legendary career and give to the School of Business at Sonoma State University.

The Rhone Rangers is America's leading non-profit organization dedicated to promoting American Rhone varietal wines. Their mission is to educate the public on Rhone varietal wine grapes grown in America and to promote the production and enjoyment of these wines, with emphasis on integration into our daily lives.

The Sonoma County Vineyard Technical Group is a non-profit 501c (5) organization of grape growers, allied industry members, and others interested in wine grape growing practices that sustain and improve vine health and fruit quality. This scholarship is intended for undergraduate and graduate students who are focused on the business of wine growing within the industry.